Another camping ground fees increase
The Waitaki District Council plan to rise of 80% in camp fees over two years, angers users.
Last year the Waitaki Disctrict Council raised from $250 to $350 season tickets and also this year, under the draft community plan is another $100 for the year of 2009-2010 camping season.
The council moves to a more campers/users pay basis and costs of maintaining the camping grounds increase.
The camps on the Waitaki lakes are very popular with South Canterbury holiday makers and for fishing.
Mark Atkinson, regular camper was outraged the new rise. He said “They almost increase the camping fees in two years, it seems they doubled our fees without the additional reasons or anything to the camps, its appalling.”
When the camp opened for the summer season, Waitaki council representative had said the income from the movie company would be return to the facilities camp ground.
Mr Atkinson urged all campers to make a submission.
The council target for a $115,000 loss on operating its nine camping grounds. Mr. Dougall McIntyre said the increase was part of reducing burden on ratepayers and recovering actual cost from using the facilities. He also believed $450 for the eight month season was a reasonable fee.
Mr. McIntyre said he was the council’s representative at the opening of the camp then the income paid by the film company would be spent on capital expenditure on camping grounds.
